Kung Hei Fat Choy! (Feb 2010)
New Years Affirmation (Jan 2010)
May the Fire in your heart n'er go out
May the Earth you stand upon stay stout
Let Water flow, quench, reassure and refresh
Let Wood Spring forth with direction and hope
And may Metal give inspiration and wonder all about
May all the elements protect, provide and prosper,
And conspire to bring you a long and happy ever after (December 2009)
Awards
2007: £2,000 awarded to The Stress Project from a joint application as part of football's Premier League flagship community programme, Creating Chances 'Places for Players' Scheme
Articles
February 2011
Brief History of Martial Arts Involvement
My first introduction to the fighting arts was when growing up on the ‘mean streets’ of Coventry back in the 1980’s, with Ghost Town by The Specials being a very poignant reflection of the times. As a result, a few of us began Boxing to learn how to look after ourselves properly. However, we never really fitted in at the club, and so due to another musical influence The Stranglers, whose bassist JJ Burnel is a martial artist, and knowing someone who had previously trained, we took up Wado Ryu Karate. For which I went on to gain a 1st Kyu Brown Belt in.
After moving to London in 1995 I tried my hand at different forms of martial arts, but became captivated by the power and philosophy of Steelwire Mantis Kung Fu and so began training with Tony Leung at his school in Islington. However, as I was also studying for my degree at the time I was unable to commit fully. Although after finishing, ironically, I contacted Mak Miah, but it wouldn’t be until sometime later that I would actually begin training with him.
Nevertheless, during this period, I not only continued training in Mantis Kung Fu and Boxing, but also experienced softer forms of martial arts and became fascinated by the concept of Chi (our vital life force). As a result, I went on to train in acupuncture (five element), Reiki, Japanese herbs (Kampo) and am now involved full-time as a complementary therapist.
In 2008, after moving to South London, I finally began training at The Kung Fu School (see above). This was fabulous for me as Mak not only covers Praying Mantis techniques, but there is also sparring and competition fighting which I hadn’t done since my Karate days. So it was great to dust off the old mitts and guards once again. Even though the training is hard and I’ve never been able to master the mantis press-up, it is always varied, interesting and above all kept real and fun, carried out in a very friendly atmosphere.
Recently I have also commenced training in Aikido (see above) which is a softer, graceful martial art that not only compliments the hard Yang style of Kung Fu, but also fits in with the philosophy and spiritual association of the five elements. Similarly, with the Taiko Drumming (see above) as another expression of Qi, it therefore now feels like my martial arts training is complete in its structure, covering all areas of interest, value and enjoyment, for me to continue to try to improve upon in practice.
October 2008
Esher Good Health Centre - Winter Newsletter
Wintertime is when elemental energy is at its nadir as experienced during the shortest day of the year. This is the Water elements time and is one for maintaining reserves to see out the harsh conditions ahead. It is no surprise then that there have always been festivals in Winter aimed at bringing in more light and warm along with the consumption of food/drink to help see through the hard times.
In terms of health, the organs associated with the Water element are not surprisingly the kidneys and Bladder, responsible for the storage and control of water. In China they particularly recognise the importance of ensuring the lower-back is kept warm and protected when it’s cold especially as this is also where our constitutional energy or reserves are stored.
Someone who is said to have the Water element as their causative factor (CF) of imbalance may present symptoms relating to such excessive/underactive conditions relating to sweating, passing of water, temperature control, thirst etc. The water element is also related to the bones, hair, ears/balance so there may also be indicators from any such symptoms presented. In terms of emotional health, the emotion related to the Water element is that of Fear, mainly the need to survive until Springtime comes once again. Therefore, symptoms may also be presented relating to this emotion, either the lack of or paralysing rigid effect of Fear. And so there may be the need for reassurance wherever possible, that everything will be OK if they only allow it to be.
In terms of acupuncture, the objective is to ensure there is harmony between all elements and their relating internal organs, to make sure they all receive sufficient supplies of energy and so can carry out their individual functions accordingly. However, special attention would be paid to someone presenting any of the above symptoms to ensure their Water element is in the best condition it can be in order for the other elements to then in turn also become in balance.
It is the philosophy of five element acupuncture to use the fewer amount of fine, sterilised needles as possible. Although it is not only the needles that do the work as it is the intention of the practitioner that when energy starts to flow harmoniously the person also becomes empowered to make positive lifestyle changes to further enhance the effects of treatment and so establish a productive therapeutic partnership.
August 2008
Esher Good Health Centre - Autumn Newsletter
Five element acupuncture is an ancient form of healing related to the five elements (or phases) as recognised by the Chinese that the universe is comprised of and that we are no different made up of these same building blocks. It is then the intention of the acupuncturist to bring about balance of these elements within ourselves (related to our internal organs) to ensure their proper functioning and our wellbeing.
Each element is also related to a season, and according to its philosophy, there is an additional season to the standard four that are generally recognised in the west, and before getting to Autumn there is Late Summer (sometimes referred to as Indian Summer) related to the Earth element. This is also recognised as harvest time when the endeavours of the years work are brought to fruition. This is then generally a time to enjoy the abundance of what has been gathered before then thinking about the need to preserve some of these provisions to help see out the leaner times.
This is when Late Summer passes onto Autumn as it’s recognised by five elements philosophy (related to the Metal element) which is a time for letting go and reflection of what has been, and a heightened appreciation of the more refined, precious and rarer things in life remaining after all the leaves have dropped off as the process of extracting these precious commodities back into the earth begins.
Within ourselves these 2 elements are primarily responsible for the intake and elimination of external energy to, from and around the body in terms of food and air consumed, and so are related to the digestive and respiratory systems. Therefore, to ensure these 2 elements are functioning properly there needs to be harmony not only between the whole of the five elements but especially the Earth and Metal element at this time of year as energy begins to decline from it’s Summer peak to it’s nadir at the Winter solstice.
Therefore, by selecting the correct acupuncture points located throughout the body, energy or Qi (chee) can be accessed, with the intention of promoting harmony and wellbeing, bringing about the desired effect working on the levels of Body, Mind and Spirit. This in turn then helps re-establish a natural healing order and aims to empower a person to look to fulfill their own potential.
To achieve this, the actual process of five element acupuncture firstly involves a 1 ½ hour consultation and physical diagnosis. This is a painless procedure and quite often proves very therapeutic as is a rare opportunity to discuss such issues in a safe and caring, non-judgemental environment. The actual process of inserting fine, sterile needles also proves a lot more comfortable than people first imagine. The philosophy being the fewer needles used the better and that appointments eventually become more of a maintenance visit once energy re-establishes a balance and a person starts to use it in a more positive way.
March 2008
Essential ESHER - March 2008 Edition
The Stirrings of Spring: a five element perspective for coming into tune with Nature’s get-up-and-go time of year, to shake off your Winter coat and prepare for the coming seasons ahead
According to five element philosophy, Spring (associated with the Wood element) is where the seeds for change kept secure during the long Winter months finally start to germinate. Quite often it appears as if overnight the sights, sounds and smells of Spring suddenly burst upon us. This is the dynamic energy of Wood, instantaneously bringing forth change to what otherwise can be drab surroundings with explosions of colour, and increased volume/aromas of Nature.
In balance, this same energy also flows through ourselves, and it should be a time for decision making and putting plans into action. Not only for the present, but also for the forthcoming year ensuring a smooth progression throughout the seasons, reaping the rewards of the work put in at this stage and to ensure provisions through leaner-times.
Out of balance such foresight can become blurred as we can spend a lot of time trying just to cope with day-to-day issues, not really progressing or developing as we should. This is not only true on a physical level but also on an emotional and spiritual one. So through the correct selection of acupuncture points located throughout the body, energy or Qi (chee) can be accessed, with the intention of promoting harmony and wellbeing, bringing about the desired effect working on the levels of Body, Mind and Spirit. This in turn then helps re-establish a natural healing order and aims to empower a person to look to fulfil their own potential.
To achieve this, the actual process of five element acupuncture firstly involves a 1 ½ hour consultation and physical diagnosis. This is a painless procedure and quite often proves very therapeutic as is a rare opportunity to discus such issues in a safe and caring, non-judgemental environment. The actual process of inserting fine, sterile needles also proves a lot more comfortable than people first imagine. The philosophy being that the fewer needles used the better and treatment eventually becomes more a maintenance visit once energy re-establishes a balance and a person starts to use it in a more positive way.
So best foot forward and step into this Spring with a renewed sense of optimism about your health and wellbeing!
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BSc (Hons) NEBOSH Lic Ac MBAcC
